Could a new baby revitalise your love life?
A survey claims that couples grow closer after having a baby - and that motherhood is the catalyst to strengthening a woman's friendships and relationships.
The research, conducted on behalf of Aptamil 21st Century Mum, quizzed over 4,200 mums and mums-to-be on their attitudes towards motherhood and relationships with friends and family.
The role of grandparents proved important with 62) of women said they relied on other family members, for instance sisters or aunts for support.
The report also found that existing friendships can fall by the wayside when a woman has a baby, but that new relationships with 'mummy friends' soon fill the gap. One in ten (13%) of respondents said that they rarely see their old friends because of how different their lives now are, whilst many mums (almost a third), reported that their best support came from new friends with children.
Dr Ellie Lee, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of Kent said of the findings: 'Given that parenthood often comes with a 'health warning' about the new stresses and strains it brings for mums, dads and their relationship with each other, it is striking that many mums report that having children has created a new closeness to others.'
And the revitalisation of new parents' love lives? Eight out of ten mums said their relationship with their partner had been strengthened by the experience of motherhood...
What do you think of this report?
Did your old friends drop off the radar when you had a baby?
Did your newborn bring you and your partner closer together?
Did a new baby heal rifts in your extended family?